HISTORIC 'FLYING SCOTSMAN' PULLMAN OBSERVATION COACH TO ARRIVE AT SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS FROM THE USA'S WEST COAST
Monday 26th February 2007

Press Release from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 24th February 2007
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright unless otherwise noted To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph and subsequently use the Back button on your browser to return to this page.

Please scroll down the page for details of how to easily contribute to this project

Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14 in original condition

An historic Pullman observation coach rescued from the west coast of the USA that was once hauled by the world famous ‘Flying Scotsman’ steam locomotive is to arrive at Southampton Docks – thanks to an ambitious £30,000 appeal by the volunteers of the Swanage Railway.

The luxurious railway carriage built at Brighton in 1947 – converted for use on the prestigious ‘Devon Belle’ express train between London and north Devon during the days of steam – is due to depart from the Hampshire port on a low-loader road transporter on the morning of Monday, 26 February, 2007.

Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14 with lift trucks and low loader on 13th January 2007 to begin its long journey home to the UK from San Francisco. Photos copyright Sam Sause

The prestigious craftsman-built wooden observation coach with large picture windows – known as Car 14 – was transported by road from San Francisco in California the 500 miles south to Long Beach, near Los Angeles.

It was then carefully loaded on to the 66,532 tonne roll-on, roll-off ship ‘MV Taiko’ belonging to Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, a global provider of specialist transportation services. The vessel departed the port of Long Beach on 23 January, 2007, for its 8,000 nautical mile journey to the UK via the Panama Canal.

Two pics of Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14 sitting on the Mafi trailer and as it looked stowed underdeck. Photos copyright Sam Sause

After restoration at Ramparts in Derby, the observation coach will triumphantly arrive on the award-winning Swanage Railway for an active working life being hauled by steam locomotives on the relaid Purbeck Line.

Swanage Railway Trust deputy chairman, Steve Doughty, said: “The repatriation and restoration of the observation coach Car 14 will secure its future and enable it to do what it was built to do; providing passengers with a wonderful way to enjoy the Purbeck countryside from the comfort of a train.

“It also offers the potential for the Swanage Railway to further enhance its service to passengers and the relaid Purbeck Line’s reputation as an innovator among heritage railways in the United Kingdom,” he added.

Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14 in front of the San Francisco building where it had lain for over 30 years awaiting repariation - Photo copyright Steve Doughty

Before being repatriated back to the UK, the Pullman observation coach fronted an office building in San Francisco, California, after being left on the quayside at the end of the ill-fated ‘Flying Scotsman’ tour of the USA and Canada back in 1971.

Steve Doughty explained: “Used variously as a café, conference room and a humble store over the last thirty years, the owners have decided to renovate the offices and concluded that they no longer require the coach.

“Agreement has been reached with the Swanage Railway Trust for the coach to return home, not just to England but to Southern Railway metals and a new working life on the Swanage Railway. Sir William McAlpine, who helped rescue ‘Flying Scotsman’ from that same American quayside, has expressed his support for the project,” added Mr Doughty.

The coach – officially known as Car 14 – is one of two vehicles converted by the Pullman Company at their Preston Park works in Brighton during 1947 with seating for 27 passengers and a bar for drinks service.

Rebuilt from earlier Pullman cars constructed on ex-London and North Western Railway underframes, they were converted for the ‘Devon Belle’ service from Waterloo to Ilfracombe.

After the 'Devon Belle' service ended in 1954, the observation cars were used on charter services, ending up on the Scottish Region in 1961 on the lines between Inverness and the Kyle of Lochalsh and from Glasgow to Oban.

After withdrawal in 1967 with the end of steam, Car 14 went to North America as part of the 'Flying Scotsman’ tour train of 1969. Traveling extensively around the USA and Canada, the car was exhibited with the train at the 1970 Toronto exhibition before ending up in San Francisco where it remained after the locomotive was returned to the UK.

Steve Doughty explained: “Although some refurbishment will be required, Car 14 retains many of its original features, offering the Swanage Railway Trust the potential to return the coach to near original condition.

Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14's empty interior today, and as it was in its heydey.
Swanage Railway volunteers hope to restore it to original Pullman condition, complete with bar.
Photos copyright Steve Doughty and NRM

“The Swanage Railway Trust has already secured funding for the project, thanks to the generosity of Trust member and benefactor Alan Moore whose has offered to fund half the cost of the return – estimated to cost £30,000.

“An interest free loan has also been secured to cover the balance, but as this and restoration costs will still have to be covered, the Trust has launched an appeal to raise a further £30,000.

“The Swanage Railway Trust is also currently engaged in promoting another appeal to help rescue an important piece of British railway history from the United States – the repatriation of the Churchill funeral van No. S2464S. That appeal remains open and donations can still be made to. The Swanage Railway Trust has already returned two Pullman cars to the UK.

“These two carriages – named ‘Lydia’ and ‘Isle of Thanet’ – are an interesting link between the Car 14 and the Churchill f uneral van projects because the two Pullman carriages formed part of Winston Churchill’s 1965 funeral train – along with No. S2464S – and were part of the 1971 ‘Flying Scotsman’ tour train of the United States with Car 14,” added Mr Doughty.

Donations to the Pullman restoration project can be made to the Swanage Railway Trust (Devon Belle Fund), Station House, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1HB or on-line by debit or credit card via the Trust’s website at ‘www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk’ by following this link.

The Swanage Railway Trust website now has an Appeals section with the ability to make online donations to the Devon Belle Fund, the Churchill Project, the Heritage Coach Fund and to the General Fund.

Donations are processed via PayPal and the payment process includes an electronic Gift Aid form that conforms to HMR&C requirements. Donors do not need a PayPal account.

Please click here to visit the Swanage Railway Trust Appeals section at http://www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk/appeals/index.htm#Devon

In the event that the project is not successful, donations received with a return address will be refunded. Any balance will go to progress other projects.

Contact details:
Steve Doughty
Deputy Chairman
Swanage Railway Trust
Station House
Swanage
DORSET
BH19 1HB
Tel: 07860-108754
Email: stephen.doughty1@btopenworld.com